Silver Bullet

I went for a drive up Hwy-9 on Saturday (a very curvy, scenic drive for those of you not from this area). It was the first time I've been up there in about 5 years. I was mainly just going for some nice scenery and didn't expect, but hoped for, some spirited driving. The gears of choice were 2nd (through the curves) and 3rd (down the straights). The weather was beautiful, but a tad chilly in the shadows, for some top-down driving.

To start things off, I got stuck behind a Chevy Tahoe going as fast as a large SUV can. The driver was nice enough to pull over at the next available turn-out. After passing the SUV, I picked up the pace a bit but was nowhere near stressing the car.

When the road straightened out a bit, I noticed a burgundy Boxster (with a hardtop installed) stuck behind two slow cars. I immediately picked up the pace even more to ensure the driver knew I was there.

The two slow cars pulled over to the next turn-out and I immediately planted my foot into the throttle (while in 2nd gear), expecting the Boxster to make his move. But to my surprise, the Boxster didn't pass and I had to hit the brakes. This really confused me.

The two cars moved over again at the next turn out and this time the Boxster made his move. I stuck to his tail and expected the Boxster to slow down a bit after passing the slow traffic. However, the driver continued to accelerate and I knew it was time to have some fun.

Toggling through 2nd and 3rd gears, we flew into the turns and accelerated hard on the straights. The driver of the Boxster tried and tried but couldn't shake that pesky silver S2000 from his tail. The Boxster kicked up some sand and gravel as its tires crossed the center line on one side and the shoulder one the other side ocassionally. I got pelted in the face a few times by small pebbles.

Then the driver of the Boxster gave up and pulled over to let me by. I checked my mirro to see him get back on the road behind me but the driver stayed far behind. What a nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Honda Racer

was that a boxster S, or just a boxster?

Silver Bullet

Boxster. I also couldn't tell if it was a newer or older one (difference of 10 or 15 hp?).

I figured I had a power advantage but I wasn't sure about the handling comparison. I was a little reluctant to push the car that hard after spinning out a couple of months ago (getting on the gas too hard in a moderate-speed left turn in an intersection). However, I just concentrated on doing everything smoothly (no abrubt changes in steering, acceleration, or braking) and the car performed beautifully.

It's not often I get to drive the car like that (hence I have about 16,500 miles on my original S-02s). All I can say is: what a car!

Fanman

Boxsters are nothing special, it's the Boxster S's that you want to play with. Much closer to the S2000. Acceleration times are very similar. 911 brakes, 911 transmission, and with 18" rims the handling I heard is incredible. Word has it that the 2003 Boxsters are scheduled to get a horsepower bump from 217 to 250, and the S from 250 to 280-300hp. Man, the Honda people better start something to their cars as the M roadster (315hp), the AMG SLK32 (349) and pretty soon the Boxster S (280-300hp) will blow the S2000 into the weeds. Granted they are much more expensive, but when all these cars came out they were all equal, now........ I heard the 3.2 NSX 290 hp engine will easily fit into the S2000. Since the NSX is getting major hp boost in 2004, why not ???

kamehamaha

did you give him/her a thumbs up for playing?

icefire069

Silver Bullet:
great post man.


kamehamaha:
nice signature.

Silver Bullet

No, I didn't give the driver a thumbs up. I should have but the next turn was coming up very quickly so I had my hands busy.